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An International Tourism and Hospitality Management Degree: Your Ticket to a Dynamic Career

An International Tourism and Hospitality Management Degree: Your Ticket to a Dynamic Career

Tourism rewards us with some of life’s most unforgettable
moments: In Peru, a couple explores the ruins of an ancient
civilization—and the promise of a future together—while climbing a
mountainous trail to the ruins of Machu Picchu. To celebrate a job
promotion, a father surprises his kids with a week at Disney World,
the family’s first vacation in six years. And, while backpacking
through Eastern Europe, a recent college graduate uncovers lost
family history, as well as unexpected new friends. With a degree in
international tourism and hospitality management, you can help make
possible experiences like these that linger with travelers for a
lifetime.

A trillion dollar industry, global tourism is the largest and
one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. In the
U.S., travel expenditures support 14 million jobs, placing travel
and tourism among the top 10 industries, according to the U.S.
Travel Association.

Traveling transforms us. It pushes us out of our comfort zones,
opening our eyes to new cultures, new places and new experiences.
An international tourism and hospitality management degree is
your ticket to exploring the world and empowering others to do
so.

With expertise in marketing, management and operations, tourism
industry professionals facilitate the travel experience for
millions of people every year. Whether journeying near or far, for
leisure or for business, travelers depend on a host of
professionals to enhance every step of their journey.

Attract and host visitors from all around the
world

A good hotel is not just a home-away-from-home; it’s the sign of
a well-managed business. While the general manager is responsible
for running an establishment efficiently and profitably, it’s up to
the marketing and sales staff to get people past the welcome mat,
and convince them that a particular hotel or resort will be the
perfect home base for their excursions. Most travelers reserve a
room before they ever step foot inside, so marketing staff have to
persuade from afar—using social media, advertising and other
tactics. A sales manager helps build business through researching
and developing marketing opportunities, producing promotional
materials, forging relationships with local businesses, and
understanding the competition, clientele and marketing trends.

Organize ecotourism and adventure trips

If you have a passion for the outdoors and environmental causes,
ecotourism could be a great fit for you. Ecotourism seeks to
minimize the impact of travel, as travel puts considerable stress
on the environment—from the air pollution emitted by cars and
planes to the water wasted from daily laundering of towels and
sheets at hotels. Ecotourism offers a sustainable, responsible
alternative, and helps foster an awareness and respect for the
plants, wildlife and people living in or near tourist destinations.
For instance, on an ecotourism trip to Costa Rica, tourists might
observe—and have the chance to participate in—conservation efforts
to protect nesting sea turtles. And after their seaside
volunteering, they can relax in an ecolodge powered by solar
panels.

You can even combine your tourism management education with a
degree in biology to land a career organizing and leading group
hikes to rainforests and nature reserves, or white-water rafting
tours. You can help put a tourist’s visit in a larger cultural and
ecological context.

Advocate for better tourism policies

A burdensome visa process can discourage some international
travelers from visiting the U.S. As a federal government employee
in the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, you might play an
active role in developing policies that increase tourism to the
country. You could research industry trends and demand, collect
data on overseas travelers, and measure the impact of travel on the
U.S. economy—all with the purpose of supporting policymaking.

Promote the places where you live

Are you bursting with hometown pride? Do you enjoy selling
out-of-towners on all the merits of your city, county or state? You
might enjoy working for a Convention and Visitors Bureau, or a
tourism promotion agency. Most cities, counties and states have
them. They help connect visitors with resources and information
about area attractions and accommodations, promote cities as
tourist destinations, and serve as a point of contact for groups
planning conventions and special events. You could also work for a
national organization, such as the U.S. Travel Association, which
advocates for increased travel to and within the U.S.

Manage exciting attractions and
destinations

Can you imagine going to work every day at Disney World? Walt
Disney World Resort in Florida is actually the largest single-site
employer in the United States, with more than 3,700 job
classifications. A degree in international tourism and hospitality
management can place you in a variety of fun settings—museums,
zoos, theme parks, casinos, resorts—where you have an opportunity
to shape the entertainment experience for visitors. For instance, a
theme park manager strategizes how to enhance the park with new
rides and attractions, in addition to undertaking operational
duties, such as supervising staff and developing budgets.

Introduce customers to new tastes

Sometimes, a visit to a restaurant can be an adventure in and of
itself—an opportunity to be exposed to a new cuisine and unfamiliar
flavors. Restaurants often provide the backdrop for special
occasions: birthday parties, anniversary dinners and first dates.
As a restaurant manager, you can have an impact on a memorable
experience for a customer. Restaurant managers are responsible for
assembling the right ingredients behind the scenes: They supervise
kitchen and wait staff, maintain inventory, communicate with
suppliers, recommend menu changes and ensure that the kitchen
complies with safety regulations. The work opportunities are as
diverse as the types of food served—put your hospitality and
tourism management degree to use at a family-friendly chain,
Michelin star restaurant, catering company or hotel.

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo ranks as one of the top universities in the South,
according to U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best
Colleges” list. Saint Leo’s traditional liberal arts campus,
located 30 miles north of Tampa, educates more than 1,900 students.
Total enrollment across its campus, regional education centers, and
online programs exceeds 15,000. Among the oldest Catholic universities in Florida,
Saint Leo is one of the nation's 10 leading providers of higher
education to the U.S. military, and is a nationally recognized
leader in online education.

Did you know tourism is Florida’s top industry? Learn more about
the International Tourism and Hospitality Management degree at
Saint Leo University: click
here.